Process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under a principal brand and device according to the said process

ABSTRACT

The present invention belongs to the field of systemized preparation and sale of individualized cosmetics, more precisely it belongs to the field of systems, devices and processes for creation of own cosmetic products and the sale method of said products. 
     The essence of the process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under a principal brand is that the process is a part of a device, which performs this process, and that the process includes the following steps: entering into the shop, beginning of video recording and/or photographing, selecting a product for purchase, creating customer profile, whereby the customer receives his own code, payment, decision for an individual recipe or activation of virtual advisor, creation of individual recipe, or recipe review, selection of options for changing the recipe, storage of recipe under a new sub-brand, which includes the principal brand on the first place, possibility to alter the new recipe, enabling availability of the recipe for others, beginning of product making, product closing, printing product information and product labelling, purchase entry to the customer&#39;s code, entry of customer&#39;s bonuses, and product shipping. The process allows the possibility of active participation in creation of own recipes and sub-brands, which can be closed for others or can be offered to other customers, which means that the creator can participate in the rewarding scheme depending on the number of sold products.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention belongs to the field of systemized preparation andsale of individualized cosmetics, more precisely the invention belongsto the field of systems, devices and processes for creation of owncosmetic products and the sale method of said products.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The technical problem, which is solved by the present invention, is howto organize a process for preparation and purchase of cosmetic productsunder a principal brand with a possibility of modifying offered recipeaccording to individual wishes and consequently creating own sub-brandsunder one principal brand. The system should have a possibility toinclude individual recipes under own sub-brands and the possibility topurchase these products made according to individual recipes by othersand the methodology of rewarding in case said individualized cosmeticproducts are promoted and sold successfully. The purpose of the presentinvention is connecting the process of ordering cosmetic products madeby basic recipes and/or modified according to customer's wishes,preparation and production of the product, labelling, payment, keepingindividual recipes and name under the principal brand as well as productshipping to the customer. The main task of the invention is to design asystem or device, which will execute the process, and that the selectedproduct will be made according to customer's wishes.

The problem, which should be solved, is how to establish a system, whichwill enable creation of cosmetic products by customers according totheir needs and experience, including cosmetic product composition,product labelling, and interactive interference with the databasecontaining basic recipes in a computer program, wherein the systemallows product purchase in a classic shop or in an online store.

System should enable options for the customer, who created individualrecipes, to alter the recipe in next purchases, the possibility toprevent access to the recipe or possibility for other customers to orderor buy a product under their sub-brand. The process must also includethe possibility of product marketing and sale, as well as rewarding ofcustomers for their product and its sale.

The problem, which is solved by the present invention, is creation ofown cosmetic sub-brand under a principal brand based on individualwishes and needs for cosmetic products. Until now this possibility wasavailable only to celebrities, as large companies invite them tocollaborate in such way to take part in creation of cosmetic products orto give their name to the cosmetic company brand. This results innumerous fragrances, body lotions and deodorants of famous athletes,singers and actors. With the development of internet, social networksand online applications such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter andsimilar, common people have an active role in marketing, therefore onecan inform his/her followers and friends about his/her currentactivities. In case of creating own cosmetic brand a person could informhis/her friends and stimulate their visit to the shop as well as productpurchase. In regard to the number of sold products, their creator couldgain benefits at the principal brand.

State of the Art

Several different systems and methods for preparation of cosmeticproducts according to customer's wishes and needs can be found inavailable patent databases. These processes are linked to preparation ofcosmetic products and their sale in a shop, or these processes areestablished over the internet.

Document JP2002073944 describes a marketing method, in which thecustomer connects onto the producer's server and gives informationneeded to make individualized cosmetics. In this way a relationshipbetween customers and producers can be built. In addition, this processalso improves control and management of production, supplies andcustomer information.

Document US2013084259 describes a method for production ofindividualized cosmetics so that the customer selects ingredients of thecosmetic product according to his/her own wishes and skincharacteristics.

Document KR20100062903 describes a method for cosmeticsindividualization, according to which the customer connects with aserver, enters data about skin characteristics and personal information.Based on input data ingredients are selected for a cosmetic productaccording to customer's wishes.

Document US2009076639 describes a method and system for cosmeticsindividualization based on skin or hair characteristics, wherein themicroprocessor contains a database with information for standard mixingratios depending on age and skin or hair characteristics.

Document US2005021174 describes a system for selection and production ofindividualized cosmetics, either implemented on the internet or in anautonomous unit, such as a kiosk. According to this system the recipefor a cosmetic product is made based on customer's wishes and otherexternal factors. The recipe is then sent to production. At the sametime the customer receives the recipe for the created individualizedcosmetic product.

Although above mentioned patents disclose systems and methods forproduction and sale of individualized cosmetic products, they do notenable possibilities of marketing of created products and creation ofsub-brands under one principal brand. In addition, described systems andmethods do not mention a rewarding system, which would enable a personwith a successful individualized product to gain benefits at theprincipal brand. No similar systems or methods, which would allow all ofthe above, were found while searching in different databases.

Solution of the Technical Problem

The essence of the process for preparation and purchase ofindividualized cosmetics under a principal brand is that the process isa part of a device, which executes this process, and that the processincludes the following steps:

-   -   entering into the shop,    -   beginning of video recording and/or photographing,    -   selecting a product for purchase,    -   creating customer profile, whereby the customer receives his/her        own code,    -   payment,    -   decision for an individual recipe or    -   activation of virtual advisor,    -   creation of individual recipe,    -   or recipe review,    -   selection of options for changing the recipe,    -   storage of recipe under a new sub-brand, which includes the        principal brand on the first place,    -   possibility to alter the new recipe,    -   enabling availability of the recipe for others,    -   beginning of product making,    -   product closing,    -   printing product information and product labelling,    -   purchase entry to the customer's code,    -   entry of customer's bonuses, and    -   product shipping.

Process according to the invention in addition to creating own recipesand own sub-brands also allows the possibility to actively participatein creation of own recipes and sub-brands, which can be closed forothers or can be offered to other customers, which means that thecreator can participate in the rewarding scheme depending on the numberof sold products.

Process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under aprincipal brand according to the invention will be described in furtherdetail based on figures, which show:

FIG. 1 Block diagram of the process for preparation of an individualizedcosmetic product in a shop and/or on the internet

FIG. 2 Block diagram of individualized cosmetic product marketing

Process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under aprincipal brand can be performed at any convenient location, which maybe a shop, an exhibition area or a manufacturing-warehouse spacereserved for organized processing and preparation of internet orders. Itis based on an automated machine or robot, which enables preparation ofcosmetic products, such as cream, soap, shampoo, body milk and similar,according to customer's wishes and/or needs. The process for preparationof cosmetic products can be performed on-site in a shop or an exhibitionarea or from a distance over the internet. In case of an on-sitepreparation, the customer will receive a lab coat and the whole creationprocess will be recorded. Product purchase will be done in the shopbefore the beginning of product production.

With the process for preparation and purchase of individualizedcosmetics under a principal brand each customer has the possibility tocreate his/her own cosmetic product, the possibility to buy them and/orpossibility to allow other customers to buy his/her products. This meansthat the customer has the possibility to actively and creativelyparticipate in creation of his/her own cosmetic products, as well asreceives rewards for successful sub-brand products sold under theprincipal brand.

Process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under aprincipal brand includes the following steps:

The process according to the invention begins with step A, in which thecustomer confirms the decision to prepare and purchase an individualizedcosmetic product. In step A1 the customer creates his/her profile,obtains his/her code, and selects a product, which is followed bypayment in step A2. In step A2 the product is selected in the range ofpossible products, for example facial cream, hand cream, lip balm,shampoo, body milk, etc. From step A2 the customer can select step A3,in which the customer begins to prepare the selected product, or canselect step B1, in which the virtual advisor prepares proposed amountsof ingredients that are in accordance with regulations.

If the customer selects step A3, ingredients are selected in ranges andcombinations, which are allowed by parameters for ingredients and theircompatibilities. In step A4 ratios and number of ingredients can bechanged, and this is entered in step A5 as the recipe. All data aboutthe selected or created recipe from step A3 or step A4 are gathered instep A6.

If the customer selects step B2, the virtual advisor will request dataabout customer's age, skin type and basic data about lifestyle, andwill, on the basis of given data, propose a range of amounts for eachingredient of the product, wherein the customer will be able to changethe ingredient amount in the proposed range. The customer will be ableto select or change amounts of ingredients in a cosmetic product or willaccept the proposal of the virtual advisor. From step B2 data are sentto step A5, where all ratios of ingredients are gathered and the recipeis saved and sent to step A6. In step A6 the recipe is saved in order tomake the product, wherein the customer decides on the final amount ofthe cosmetic product, which can be tester size, small dose, big doseand/or family dose. From step A6 the robot A7 receives information forcontainer selection, where all ingredients will be dosed, closed andmixed, based on the valid recipe and selected dose size. Robot A7 willhave an integrated camera in order to record and save the process ofproduct making. Robot A7 is a computer controlled machine, which willenable execution of the whole process. When mixing is done, the productis prepared for labelling, wherein the label includes the principalbrand and may include images or other contents from base A8 or otheravailable databases, including USB keys and/or computer disc, if thecustomer is performing the process on the internet. Step A9 containstools for design and production of labels, which can be made with orwithout a template. From step B3 it is possible to correct a savedrecipe in step A5 if it is selected again, from base B4 is possible tosearch recipes in step A5, and through step B5 save the corrected recipeas a new recipe in the database. This allows saving created recipes fora product in the database, from which it is possible to re-prepare thecosmetic product and to fill the packaging, as well as to the correctrecipes for individualized cosmetic products. Step A9 allows thecustomer to individually design the label with or without a template,wherein the customer can add his/her sub-brand in addition to theprincipal brand. The label may also include images, which have beentaken during product making or from a webcam if the process is performedonline or from different media for data storage. The customer can alsoadd text, which is limited with the number of characters appropriate forTwitter posts (140 characters including spaces), that will describe theproduct, process for making the product and/or its author, wherein thetext must not contain offensive elements or other brands. Thepre-prepared label contains all elements required by the law, such asexpiry date, product ingredients, and sign of the principal brand andsimilar. Preview of the label and possible corrections are allowedbefore label printing. When the customer is satisfied with the label, acommand for label printing and affixing is triggered. Step A9 can bedone between steps A6 and A7. From step A it is also possible to chooseentry into step B4, when the customer has an already saved recipe instep A5.

Product payment is done after the receipt of product, if the process isperformed in a classic shop or if it is not performed online.

According to the present invention the customer has the option to decidefor creation of an individualized cosmetic product under the principalbrand, wherein the process according to the first option is performed sothat the customer is guided by the virtual advisor, so that:

-   -   1. the customer selects the required product (for example cream,        shampoo, body milk . . . );    -   2. the product composition is determined based on age, skin type        and other parameters, such as preferred scent, lifestyle and        similar;    -   3. the virtual advisor will prepare proposed amounts of        ingredients, which are in accordance with regulations and the        amounts will be proposed for each component as a range, within        which the customer will be able to alter the amount. The        customer will be able to choose between the proposal of the        virtual advisor and individual alteration of ingredient amounts;    -   4. the desired amount of the cosmetic product will be selected,        wherein several possibilities such as tester, small dose, large        dose, family dose, are available;    -   5. the virtual advisor triggers the process for preparation of        the individualized cosmetic product, which is performed by the        robot;    -   6. the robot selects the appropriate container for cosmetic        product preparation;    -   7. the product recipe is saved into the database, from which it        is possible to re-prepare this product as well as to correct the        recipe for the individualized cosmetic product;    -   8. product labelling with labels, which are prepared with our        without templates, wherein:        -   a. the customer can create the label individually, and can            insert images, which have been taken during product making            or from a webcam if the process is performed online or from            different media for data storage;        -   b. the customer can also add text, which is limited with the            number of characters appropriate for Twitter posts (140            characters including spaces), that will describe the            product, process for making the product and/or its author,            wherein the text must not contain offensive elements or            other brands;        -   c. the label must contain all elements required by the law,            such as expiry date, product ingredients, and sign of the            principal brand and similar;        -   d. preview of the label and possible corrections are allowed            before label printing;        -   e. the label is printed; and        -   f. the label is affixed onto the cosmetic product.

The process according to the other possible way is performed so that thecustomer in the third point of the above paragraph defines the cosmeticproduct composition on his/her own without the help of the virtualadvisor, but in accordance with regulations, wherein the software doesnot allow mixing components, which could interact with each other andcould be toxic. At the same time the components are limited in amountranges, which are weight or volume percentages.

Receipt of the individualized product depends on the site ofpreparation. In case this process is performed in a shop or exhibitionarea, the product is claimed on site. If the product was preparedonline, the delivery options are chosen with the help of theapplication, wherein the delivery may be by mail or personal delivery,the location is selected for the latter option.

FIG. 2 shows block scheme for marketing and sale acceleration ofprepared individualized cosmetic products as well as rewarding ofcustomers, who have created individualized cosmetic products.

After the process of cosmetic product creation is finished thecreator/customer decides in step C about the final product availabilityas shown in FIG. 2. Step C has two options, step C1 and step C2. Step C1includes option C11, in which the recipe is locked, cannot be seen byothers and the products are not available in the shop. The other optionof step C1 is C12, which includes saving into the database of soldproducts and access to the customer to review sold products. Dependingon the number of sold products, which is recorded in C12, the number ofpoints for rewards is computed in C13 and with respect to customer'sselection in step (C14) divides then to prizes in goods, monetary prizesand/or prizes according to the agreement.

From step C the customer can choose step C2, which enables all followingand/or new customers access to the created product, and that in step C21the individualized product is presented and offered. From step 21 activepresentation and sale of the product is done in step C22, which is ashop or an online store. From step C22 data about sales are recorded instep C12, in which the customers have access to database and saleinformation. From C12 data are transferred to C13, in which obtainedpoints are evaluated as the basis for rewarding. From step C21 it ispossible to continue to step C23, which is individual marketing. Fromstep C23 data are transferred to C12, which includes access to databaseand/or saved video protected with a code, and leads to step C25. StepC25 allows sharing information on the internet through portals, e-mailand social networks.

According to the present invention the customer has the option todecide, that:

-   -   the product is available to all, and:        -   a new brand is created so that an additional recognition            element is added to the principal brand, which will allow            separating of products based on their creators;        -   marketing and sales promotion can be done by representatives            of the principal brand in shop, online or in other media, so            that in the shop best selling or newest individualized            products created by customers are offered next to products            under the principal brand. New customers will have the            option to buy already prepared products or products created            by other customers or to created a new individualized            product;        -   at the same time individualized products are advertised by            their creators by sharing information through internet            portals, social networks, e-mail and other channels, wherein            the video, which was recorded during individualized product            preparation, is also available to creators;    -   the product is intended for personal use, meaning that it will        not be available to others in shops, online store or other sale        channels;    -   regardless of product availability the customer receives a code        after creating his/her individualized product, by which he/she        gains access to applications that allow access to information        about sold products under their sub-brand;    -   marketing stimulation is done by rewarding, based on the number        of sold products, wherein the prizes can be goods, monetary        prizes or can depend on individual agreements.

Process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmetics under aprincipal brand allows classic product selection with the offeredrecipe, creating own recipes and sub-brands, the decision to activelyparticipate in creating own recipes and sub-brands that can be closedfor others or can be offered to other customers, as well asparticipation in the rewarding scheme depending on the number ofproducts sold. The described process is a part of the device, whichallows the customer to access the system or shop and product selection,creation of ingredient ratios for a defined product, and receiving theactual product in the end.

1. A process for preparation and purchase of individualized cosmeticsunder a principal brand comprising: step (A), confirming a decision toprepare and purchase an individualized cosmetic product; step (A1),creating a profile, obtaining a code and selecting the product; step(A2), making a payment and selecting the product from a range ofpossible products; selecting ingredients in amount ranges andcombinations, which are allowed by parameters written in the robot; step(A4) that allows correction of ranges and number of ingredients, whichis then written in step (A5) as a recipe; step (A6), designating a validrecipe comprising all data chosen or created recipe from step (A3) orstep (A4), transferring the data about the valid recipe from step (A6)to a robot (A7) about dose selection, which represents an order to robot(A7) to select a container, in which all ingredients will be measured,closed and mixed; activating a camera inside the robot (A7), whichrecords and saves a video of making individualized product; preparatinga label including principal brand, to which individual recognitionelements such as image or name can be added; and delivering the productto the customer.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein: step (B1), a virtualadvisor prepares proposed amounts of ingredients for preparation of theselected product; step (B2), the customer answers questions about skintype, lifestyle and similar, so that an appropriate combination ofingredients for the selected product is given; step (B3), when theproduct has been selected again, a correction of saved recipe in step A5may be sent; step (B4) for re-preparing the product, which allowssearching recipes in step (A5), and through step (B5) repeated savinginto database as a new recipe; and transfer of information about a validrecipe from step (A6) to robot (A7) for dose selection, which representsan order to robot (A7) to select an appropriate container, in which allingredients will be measured, closed and mixed.
 3. The process of claim1 wherein step (A9) comprises creating labels with or without atemplate, in which the customer may add his/her own recognition elementsto the principal brand and become an owner of a sub-brand.
 4. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein the label may be equipped with imagematerial, which can be from initial customer photographing, or fromcustomer's webcam, if the process is performed online, or from anymedium for data storage, and that the customer can add text, which islimited with the number of signs appropriate for Twitter posts, which is140 characters including spaces.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein step(A9) may be performed between step (A6) and step (A7).
 6. The process ofclaim 1 wherein from step (A) it is possible to choose entry into step(B4), when the customer has an already saved recipe in step (A5).
 7. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein after creation of the cosmetic product isfinished the customer decides in step C about final productavailability; that step (C) has two options, steps (C1 and C2); thatstep (C1) includes possibility (C11), in which the recipe is locked,cannot be seen by others and the product is not available in the shop;that the other option of step (C1) is step (C12), which includes savinginto the database of sold products and access to customer to review thenumber of sold products; that depending on the number of sold productsrecorded in step (C12) step (C13) computes the number of points forrewarding and with respect to customers selection in step (C14) dividesthen to prizes in goods, monetary prizes and/or prizes according to theagreement.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein from step (C) the customercan choose step (C2), which allows all next and/or new customers toaccess to the final product, and that the step (C21) allows presentationand offering of individualized product; that from step (C21) activepresenting and sale of the product is done in step (C22), which is ashop or online store; that from step (C22) data about sale is recordedin step (C12), in which the customer has access to database andinformation about product sale; that from step (C12) data aretransferred to step (C13), in which obtained points are evaluated as thebasis for rewarding.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein from step (C21)step (C23) is possible, which enables individual marketing, that fromstep (C23) data go to step (C12), which is the access to database andsaved video with a code, which continues in step (C25), which allowssharing information on the internet through portals, e-mails and socialnetworks.
 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the payment can be doneafter receipt of product, if the whole process is performed in a classicshop or if it is not performed on the Internet.